Month: November 2024

Trace Balin – Here And Now – 1989

As Trace’s first album started to hit the charts Dayspring got her back in the studio ASAP. They could tell the first album was going to take off so they wanted a second album out there as quick as possible. This album proved she wasn’t a one album wonder as this one also hit the charts. It had 3 top 20 singles with “Well Done” making it to #10, “Never Let It Be Said” to #19, and “Eye Of The Hurricane” to #8. Not quite as successful as her debut but nothing to sneeze at. The album is very similar and I’m relatively sure the record company chose the songs from their library but Trace did get some cowriting credits this album. That said the songs were solid pop choices and it’s another great album if you enjoy female pop. Funny that history would hold Trace out as a great blues singer but at this point in her career it was all pop all the time. That said I am listening to her albums in order so maybe I’ll start to hear a transition in the next two albums.

Tracklist
1 – Here And Now – 3:50
2 – Well Done – 4:55
3 – If I Don’t Have Love – 4:11
4 – Eye Of The Hurricane – 3:47
5 – Never Let It Be Said – 4:31
6 – When The Well Runs Dry – 5:15
7 – Jesus At The Heart – 3:54
8 – Just Between You And Me – 3:50
9 – All Hail The Power – 4:44
10 – Why Me – 3:33

Credits
Arranged By – Carl Marsh
Art Direction [Cover Coordination] – Amy Linde
Backing Vocals – Greg X. Volz, Greg Hall, Michael Sandifer, Trace Balin
Bass Guitar – Gary Lunn
Design – McConnell Graphics
Drums, Drum Programming – Jonathan David Brown
Engineer – Jonathan David Brown
Executive-Producer – Lynn Keesecker
Guitar – Paul Brannon, Tom Hemby
Keyboards [Fairlight 3] – Carl Marsh
Management – Richard Painter
Mastered By – Ken Love
Percussion – Eric Darken
Photography By – Russ Harrington
Producer – Jonathan David Brown

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – DADC – DIDX-007094
Recorded At – Johnny DB’s Basement
Mixed At – Johnny DB’s Basement
Mastered At – Mastermix

Rachel Rachel – Way To My Heart – 1991

I didn’t listen to this album back in the 90’s so when I saw them referred to as a rock band I was interested to hear it. Are they a rock band? Well they have some rock oriented tracks but I would be very hesitant to call them a rock band. Often these female “rock” bands are tossed together by record companies but not in this case. I wouldn’t say they were an organic band but they were a true girl band. The band came to be when bass player Jennifer York moved to California with the intent of forming a girl band. She found all the members except a drummer and produced a demo and started the “looking for a label” process. Billy Smiley heard the demo and worked with the band to get this first album out. At this point they found their drummer and the album was cut. As I said the album was marketed as a rock album and yes there are a few rock tracks but much of it is rather typical of female vocalists of the era. This is not however a real criticism because I thin it’s a pretty good album but I would have liked to have heard a little more edge. My suspicion is that the record company had them turn it down a couple notches. I did see a live clip from them in 1994 and it was definitely turned up a couple notches and had a real Heart feel. Anyway the album has a fun cover of “Carry On Wayward Son”, which also has a music video and I kind of like it. The rest of the album is hit and miss but I really liked “David’s Dance” also.

Tracklist
1 – There Ain’t Enough Love – 3:54
2 – Carry On Wayward Son – 4:41
3 – Outside Looking In – 3:31
4 – In The River – 5:15
5 – Something Of You – 4:32
6 – The Way To My Heart – 4:18
7 – Long Lost Love – 4:45
8 – I Will Stand By You – 4:45
9 – David’s Dance (The Shim Sham) – 3:46
10 – Papa Can You Hear Me? – 5:16
11 – Rain On Me – 5:40

Credits
Art Direction – Amy Linde, Bill Brunt
Bass – Jennifer York
Drums, Percussion – Jenny Sparks
Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Brynn Beltran
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Heli Sterner
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Cheryl Jewel
Design – Bill Brunt Designs
Edited By [Editing By] – Carlos Grier
Engineer [2nd Engineer, Bennett House] – Shawn McLean
Engineer [2nd Engineer, Mama Jo’s] – Chris Morris
Executive-Producer – Lynn Keesecker
Mastered By – Denny Purcell
Mixed By – Jeff Balding, Lee Groitzsch
Photography By – Aaron Rapoport
Producer [Produced By], Arranged By – Billy Smiley
Recorded By [Overdubs Recorded By] – Lee Groitzsch
Recorded By [Tracks Recorded By] – Ronnie Brookshire
Synthesizer [Fairlight Keyboard Sequencing] – Carl Marsh
Technician [Drum Tech] – Chris McHugh
Technician [Guitar Tech] – Brian Wooten

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – The Bennett House
Overdubbed At – Midtown Tone & Volume
Mixed At – Mama Jo’s
Mixed At – OmniSound Studios
Mastered At – Georgetown Masters
Published By – Irving Music, Inc.
Published By – Beings From The Sky Music Inc.
Published By – Otherwise Publishing
Published By – Almo Music Corp.
Published By – Word Music (2)
Published By – EMI Blackwood Music Inc.
Published By – Don Kirshner Music, Inc.
Published By – Britt-N-Brenn Music
Published By – Little Dude Music
Published By – Keeling & Co.
Published By – Lorimar Music Bee Corp.
Published By – Crazy Eights
Published By – Tall Hair Music
Pressed By – Denon Digital Industries

Various – White Metal Invasion – 1989

This is a great metal sampler from E & E Records which is in some way connected with the band Armada. Nice selection of lesser known metal bands here including 2 previously unreleased tracks. We’ve compiled a tracklist of the origin of the tracks;

1 – Divine Right – All I Got – From 1988 independent release “Powerchange”
2 – Chariot – Truth – From the 1987 release “Step Into Light”
3 – Emerald – Battle Ground – Unreleased until the 2022 release “Demo 1984”
4 – Xalt – The Cross – From the 1988 release “Dark War”
5 – 7th Angel – I Will See You In Heaven – From 1988 independent release “7th Angel”
6 – Armada – Suicide – From the 1988 release “Black & White”
7 – Seraiah – C’mon Get Up! – Unreleased elsewhere
8 – Full Armor – White Knights – From 1988 independent release “4-Song E.P.”
9 – Soldier – Louder Than Hell – From 1988 independent release “Babylon”
10 – Taker – Look Into His Eyes – Unreleased until the 2014 release “It Is Finished”
11 – Angelica – Follow Me, Follow Him – Unreleased elsewhere
12 – Apostle – I Am Persuaded – From 1988 independent release “Hymns”

Heather & Kirsten – Betcha Didn’t Know – 1990

Sisters Heather & Kirsten Ostrom actually started out their music career by singing the national anthem at sports events. I can honestly say that this is probably the only CCM group that got their start that way. In 1985, they recorded a Christmas tape called “Christmas Joy” which caught the attention of artist/producer Roby Duke. Yes we looked for a copy with no luck. Anyway eventually Arcade records came calling and Roby Duke produced a track for a Arcade Records Sampler. It was well received so they headed back into the studio to record the rest of this album. Unfortunately this would be their only album and while Heather moved on to other things in life but Kirsten continued her career in music as Kirsten Wenlock and is still in the business today. As for the album it’s a dance pop album that is probably a little over produced but that was the style on almost all Pop Dance albums of the period. Not really my style but it’s a fun listen that many will like and I’m pretty sure they would have had more albums if Arcade Records hadn’t have been shut down.

Tracklist
1 – Move – 3:37
2 – Evidence – 3:38
3 – Faith Hope Love Dance – 3:50
4 – Shock 2 U – 4:30
5 – So What – 3:35
6 – Some Sweet Boy – 2:41
7 – Pourin’ Rain – 4:05
8 – The Other Side – 3:46
9 – Betcha Didn’t Know – 4:37
10 – If I Were To Say – 4:20

The Nelons – In One Accord – 1985

This is the first album after Rex changed the name of the band from The Rex Nelon Singers to The Nelons. This was a pretty good idea as the band was struggling to attract younger fans with their previous name but this name made it “okay” for the younger fans to buy their albums. That said the album cover was a bad choice. While the font and design has hip and new the picture of the members on the front screamed 1977. Anyway that aside let’s talk about the album. This one is pretty good, probably the best one I’ve heard from the though I haven’t listened to them all yet. It touches on the southern gospel style without over doing it. I’d actually say they quite nailed the right balance. The opening track could have made it on a mixed tape for me. Pretty good album.

Tracklist
1 – God’s Way Up – 2:38
2 – Alleluia To The Lamb – 4:42
3 – We Shall Overcome – 2:25
4 – There Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down – 4:07
5 – What In The World (Are You Waiting For?) – 2:35
6 – God Bless The U.S.A. – 3:12
7 – The Sweetest Song – 3:36
8 – If Jesus Is There – 2:09
9 – I Love Him – 3:03
10 – Don’t Give Up – 2:45

Credits
Arranged By [Vocals] – Bergen White, Lari Goss
Art Direction – Jackson Design
Bass – Jack Williams, Mike Brignardello
Drums – Clay Caire, Clyde Brooks, Hayward Bishop, James Stroud
Engineer [Additional] – Joe Funderburk, Joe Scaife, Lee Peterzell
Engineer, Mixed By [Digitally] – Rick McCollister
Guitar – Brent Rowan, Joe Huffman, Pete Bordonali
Harmonica – Terry McMillan
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Photography By – Dean Dixon
Piano – Bobby Ogdin, Dave Huntsinger, Gary Prim, Shane Keister
Producer – Ken Harding
Steel Guitar – Sonny Garrish
Strings – The A Strings
Vocals – Karen Peck, Kelly Nelon Clark, Jerry Thompson, Todd Nelon, Rex Nelon

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Published By – Word Music
Recorded At – Woodland Studios
Recorded At – Creative Workshop
Recorded At – The Music Mill, Nashville, TN
Recorded At – Soundshop Recording Studios
Recorded At – Knob Hill Studio
Mixed At – Mastermix
Pressed By – Electrosound Los Angeles – △26891

Scaterd-Few – Sin Disease – 1990

Scaterd-few is an interesting band. They actually formed in 1983 and recorded a demo that year with Terry Scott Taylor as producer. That demo never made its way out but we do get to hear some of the cuts on their 1991 “Out Of The Attic” album. They broke up in 1985 but reformed in 1989 and got together with Terry again for this album. The band eventually put out a total of 5 albums which given the controversy that surrounded them is pretty good. I’ll cover those controversies in future album reviews. The controversy of this album is that some said it was Rastafarian and not traditional Christian. This caused distributor Zondervan to drop the album. I listened to this album and I don’t think it spouts Rastafarian beliefs but on the other hand I don’t care, I’m here for the music. As for the album it has that angry punk feel on many tracks but some tracks are more structured and resemble a commercially viable song. There are a few tracks that have a Reggae feel which may have caused this whole silly Rastafarian thing. As I said it was produced by Terry Scott Taylor and personally I can feel and occasionally hear his influence but I could just be reading into the album. Anyway when people talk about 90’s Christian punk this album is often their number one or two favourite.

Tracklist
1 – Kill The Sarx – 1:26
2 – While Reprobate – 1:41
3 – Beggar – 2:22
4 – Lights Out – 2:51
5 – Later (LA 1989) – 3:37
6 – Groovey – 2:56
7 – Glass God (No Freedom In Basing) – 2:08
8 – As The Story Grows – 1:28
9 – U – 1:53
10 – A Freedom Cry – 2:30
11 – Scapegoat – 1:17
12 – Wonder Why – 1:36
13 – DITC – 1:09
14 – Self – 1:13
15 – Look Into My Side – 4:09
16 – Kill The Sarx II (Apocalypse) – 7:05

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals [Additional BGVs] – Jav
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – Omar Domkus
Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Samuel West
Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals – Jamie Mitchell
Vocals [Vox], Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion – Rämald Domkus
Graphics – Drewzig
Guitar [Additional Guitars] – Ed Lover, Greg Flesch, Greg Lawless, Tools
Layout – Joe Potter
Mastered By – John Matousek
Photography By – David Dobson
Photography By [Cover Photo By] – Drew Domkus
Producer [Produced By] – Rämald Domkus, Terry Taylor
Producer [Produced With] – Omar Domkus
Recorded By – Gene Eugene

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Alarma Records
Copyright © – Alarma Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Recorded At – The Mixing Lab
Mixed At – The Mixing Lab
Overdubbed At – Mixing Lab B
Mastered At – Soundworks West
Published By – Broken Songs
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

M.C. Ge Gee – I’m For Real – 1990

Many people think M.C. Ge Gee (Genie Rodriguez) started her Rapping career after her brother, D-Boy Rodriguez, was murdered but after researching her a bit I found this wasn’t true. Executives at Frontline Records had already identified her as something the industry needed and she had been studying rapping with her brother before his death. When her brother was in the studio she was there often playing drums on his tracks and helping him with rhythm. As for her album Danny contributed vocals, programming and scratching as the album was recorded before his death. The album is not just Danny’s style by a female. It has a completely different sound and feel. Yes the actual rapping is similar but the backing tracks are a completely different sound. In fact what I find so fun about this album is her use of different music styles backing her backing. We have everything from Reggae to Jazz to African and I Love it. Again not my favourite genre but honestly I loved this one.

Tracklist
1 – Let’s Fight Back – 3:19
2 – Try This One – 3:19
3 – Jazzin It Up – 3:47
4 – Jesus Loves Me – 3:15
5 – Unity – 4:41
6 – Latino Style – 3:34
7 – I’m For Real – 3:36
8 – You Can Make A Difference – 3:53
9 – Loving Him In Return – 3:44
10 – Go Ge Gee – 3:28

Paul Clark & Friends – Good To Be Home – 1975

If ever the added artist inclusion of “friends” even meant anything it was on Paul Clark’s classic rock and roll album “Good to Be Home.” The Phil Keaggy factor is HUGE here including his inclusion as the lead vocalist on the opening track. Keaggy’s guitar work is also all over the album. And it’s some of Phil’s rockier work as in comparison to his own albums released at the same time. For 1975 this was pretty progressive. Hammond organ riffs jettisoning back and forth with Keaggy’s fantastic fret work. Also included amongst the friends are Jay Truax and John Mehler from Love Song. They all collaborated on this album and the “band” feel really shows. “Unveiling” may be one of Clark’s most impressive and compelling songs. Clocking in at just under seven minutes this song truly allows Keaggy to shine, not just in the fancier fret work or scorching leads but in creating ambiance and atmosphere for this epic. This may have been CCM’s earliest foray into progressive rock sounding like a more jazz influenced Kansas number. I once asked several “Jesus Music” experts if they could only own one of Paul Clark’s classic albums, which one would it be. The response was unique in that many stated that though they didn’t believe “Good to Be Home” to be Clark’s finest work, the majority stated it would be the one to own. That says a lot about how often in Jesus Music and CCM the heart of an album can impact ones perception as much as the artistic value.

Contributor David Lowman – https://legacyccmsgreatestalbums.wordpress.com/

Tracklist
1 – Holding On To You – 2:30
2 – Which One Are You? – 4:11
3 – All Your Ways – 3:51
4 – Unveiling – 6:42
5 – For My Children – 3:15
6 – It’s All Waiting – 3:25
7 – Good To Be Home – 2:51
8 – Under His Grace – 3:15
9 – Abide – 3:05

Credits
Artwork By [Cover Design] – Ted Stone
Artwork By [Cover Illustration] – Gary Pycior
Backing Vocals – Sandy Dryden
Bass, Vocals – Jay Truax
Engineer – Bob Cotton
Guitar, Vocals – Phil Keaggy
Organ – Stew Langer
Percussion – John Mehler, Lanny Hansen
Photography – Eben Fowler
Piano, Guitar [Acoustic], Vocals – Paul Clark
Piano, Vocals – Bill Speer
Producer – Paul Clark, Phil Keaggy
Saxophone, Flute – Barry Kelsey
Written-By – Paul Clark, Phil Keaggy

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – Word Records
Record Company – Seed Records
Copyright © – Seed Records
Published By – Seed Records
Printed By – Press & Post Ltd.
Made By – Press & Post Ltd.
Lacquer Cut At – Master Room

Crashdog – Humane Society – 1990

Wikipedia annoyingly states that Crashdog were “one of the first Christian punk bands” Obviously those of us who followed the industry know that isn’t true but I do think they may have been one of the first recorded bands that did what I refer to as angry punk. Punk crossed many styles over the years but these guys were definitely one of the first to do this style successfully. There isn’t much information about how the band came to be but we do know that they were part of the Jesus People U.S.A. movement in Chicago. They must have had some connection with REZ as this album is the first on REZ album on REZ’s label Grrr Records. The band does a real mix of social commentary songs along with straight up Christian songs on this album. While I’m not the biggest fan of what I call angry punk I do quite like this album. The music is fantastic and the lyrics are good and this must have been a refreshing change of sound at the time. These guys were together for a further 4 albums which means they were doing something right.

Tracklist
1 – Progress – 2:30
2 – Brainfill – 1:18
3 – Numbered By Color – 3:13
4 – Electric Drug – 2:41
5 – Distorted View – 1:36
6 – Never Again – 3:28
7 – Bloody Lane – 3:20
8 – End Of The Rope – 3:30
9 – American Dream – 2:45
10 – Your Ugly Face – 2:44
11 – Injustice – 2:07
12 – The Cold Within – 2:36
13 – Midnight Ride – 2:42

Credits
Bass – Brian Grover
Drums – Greg Jacques
Engineer – Ed Bialach
Engineer [Assistant] – Roy Montroy
Guitar – Andrew Mandell
Vocals, Harp [Mouth Harp] – Spike Nard

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Tone Zone Recording
Pressed By – Disctronics USA

The Lonely Now – Original Intentions – 1987

Yet another The Lonely Now album that sounds like it was recorded on a potato. Again we have done everything we can to improve the sound and I think we did pretty good on this one. This is their second album and it pretty well picks up where their first album left off. Again we have a strong new wave album but maybe a little more goth oriented this time. Think The Cure. Here is another album that I obviously missed out on in the 80’s. Independently released albums from California never quite made their way to rural Canada. I really wish i had heard these guys because this was my favourite style of music in the mid 80’s. My favourite track is probably “The Few” which has an early U2 musical sound with an Ultravox vocal style and just hits it right. I’ll say it now, this album will likely end up being in my top 50 from the 80’s.

Tracklist
1 – Original Intentions – 3:28
2 – Fall Again – 5:00
3 – If I Could – 2:47
4 – Tomorrow Is Today – 4:30
5 – Sanctuary Lasts – 3:20
6 – The Few – 3:42
7 – Have You Seen – 3:34
8 – Make It Happen – 3:35

Credits
Engineer – Fred Eichel
Photography – Lee Schugar
Producer – The Lonely Now
Vocals, Bass Guitar – Phil Watson
Vocals, Drums – Kevin Reimer
Vocals, Guitar – Greg Sostrom
Vocals, Guitar, Violin – Masaki Liu
Written-By – Greg Sostrom

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Narrowpath Records
Designed At – Klein Graphics and Communications